Removal of microorganisms from fluid samples using nanofiber filtration media

ABSTRACT

A method for removing microorganisms from liquid samples and a nanofiber containing liquid filtration medium that simultaneously exhibits high liquid permeability and high microorganism retention. Microorganisms such as bacteria, particularly  B. Diminuta , are removed from a liquid by passing the liquid through a porous nanofiber containing filtration medium having a  B. Diminuta  LRV greater than about 9, and the nanofiber(s) has a diameter from about 10 nm to about 1,000 nm. Another method for removing microorganisms such as bacteria and  Mycloplasma , includes passing the liquid through a porous nanofiber containing filtration medium having a microorganism LRV greater than about 8, and the nanofiber(s) has a diameter from about 10 nm to about 1,000 nm. The filtration medium can be in the form of a fibrous electro spun polymeric nanofiber liquid filtration medium mat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent Application No. 61/210,468, filed on Mar. 19, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to filtration media. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a porous electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration mat, and methods of using the same in the retention of microorganism from a filtered liquid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Filters used in liquid filtration can be generally categorized as either fibrous nonwoven media filters or porous film membrane filters.

Fibrous nonwoven liquid filtration media include, but are not limited to, nonwoven media formed from spunbonded, melt blown or spunlaced continuous fibers; hydroentangled nonwoven media formed from carded staple fiber and the like; or some combination of these types. Typically, fibrous nonwoven filter media filters used in liquid filtration have pore sizes generally greater than about 1 micron (μm).

Porous film membrane liquid filtration media is used either unsupported or used in conjunction with a porous substrate or support. Porous filtration membranes have pore sizes smaller than the fibrous nonwoven media, and typically have pore sizes less than about 1 μm. Porous film liquid filtration membranes can be used in: (a) microfiltration, wherein particulates filtered from a liquid are typically in the range of about 0.1 μm to about 10 μm; (b) ultrafiltration, wherein particulates filtered from a liquid, are typically in the range of about 5 nm to about 0.1 μm; and (c) reverse osmosis, wherein particulate matter filtered from a liquid, are typically in the range of about 1 Å to about 1 nm.

Fibrous nonwoven media and porous film membranes are each suitable for use in microfiltration. Microfiltration is widely accepted in industry as a reliable, easily scalable, and benign method to remove microorganisms, such as bacteria, from a fluid stream, and is an essential part of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. It is especially important in the biopharmaceutical industry, where microfiltration is used at multiple locations during biopharmaceutical processing.

However, in order to achieve particle retentions equivalent to pore sizes of less than about 1 μm using microfiltration with a fibrous nonwoven media, the number of layers of fibrous material in the filter needs to be increased in order to increase the depth of the nonwoven media. Increasing the number of fibrous layers in the nonwoven media produces both desirable and undesirably results. Increasing the number of fibrous layers produces desirable results by increased tortuosity of a defect path through which a contaminant particle must pass to escape capture by the filter media as well as increasing the contaminant-holding capacity of the filter media. However, increasing the number of fibrous layers in nonwoven media undesirably increases the pressure drop or differential pressure across the media when in use, which translates to increased energy for the filter user and a shorter filter lifespan.

Porous membrane filters used in microfiltration, unlike fibrous nonwoven media, offer a combination of good particle retention, pressure drop and flux, but also tend to be cost-prohibitive, and typically do not provide good contaminant-holding capacity over the entire range of pressure drop, therefore limiting the life of filters using porous membranes.

The two most desired features of a liquid microfiltration membrane are high permeability and reliable retention. Naturally, there is a trade-off between these two parameters, and for the same type of membrane, greater retention has historically been achieved by sacrificing permeability of the membrane. The inherent limitations of the conventional processes for making membranes prevents membranes from exceeding a certain threshold in porosity, and thus limits the magnitude of permeability that can be achieved at a given pore size.

A quantitative measure of microorganism retention by a filtration membrane is customarily expressed as a Log Reduction Value, or LRV. LRV is a logarithm of the ratio of particle concentration in the challenge solution to that in the filter effluent: LRV=Log{[CFU]_(challenge)/[CFU]_(effluent)}

In the case when the filter retains all microorganisms under the conditions of the test, it is customary to report the LRV as greater than the value obtained when a single microorganism passes the filter. For example, at the challenge particle concentration of 4.77*10⁷CFU/cm.², the maximum measurable LRV is 8.22. When no particles pass the filter, the LRV is reported as greater than 8.22.

Pore size rating of a membrane is an indicator that the membrane has successfully passed a relevant, standardized bacterial challenge test. The most common pore size rating is 0.22 μm, which is assigned to membranes that pass a Standard Test Method for Determining Bacterial Retention Of Membrane Filters Utilized For Liquid Filtration (ASTM F838-83 test), can be validated to produce sterile effluent after being challenged with ≧10⁷ CFU/cm² Brevundimonas diminuta.

Brevundimonas diminuta (ATCC #19146), formerly known as Pseudomonas diminuta, is an aerobic gram-negative bacteria (bacilli). Because of its small size, B. diminuta is a standard microbial organism for validation of membrane filters and the like for sterilization. However, while B. diminuta is representative of most pathogenic bacteria, B. diminuta has proved to be a poor model for a class of microorganisms called Mycoplasma. While representative of most pathogenic bacteria, B. diminuta has proved to be a poor model for a class of microorganisms called Mycoplasma.

Mycoplasma is a microorganism that can infect cell cultures and can have a substantially deleterious effect to biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The contamination of eukaryotic cell cultures and the like with Mycoplasma is also a common problem, leading to unreliable experimental results and possibly unsafe biological products. This represents a serious problem for manufacturers involved in the development and fabrication of biological and pharmaceutical products. The highly nutritive environment of the media used in cell culture can lead to the propagation of Mycoplasmas, resulting in diminished cell growth as well as the loss of cultures. In contrast to contamination with types of bacteria which can be detected in a short period after infection on the basis of visible effects such as cytopathicity, pH change, abnormal growth, or the media appearing turbid, contamination caused by Mycoplasma may go undetected without noticeable symptoms (Razin, S. 1997. Comparative genomics of Mycoplasmas. Wien Klin Wochenschr 109:551-6. Jung H. Wang S Y, Yang I W, Hsuch D W, Yang W J, Wang T H, Wang: H S. (2003) Detection and treatment of Mycoplasma contamination in cultured cells. Chang Gung Med J. 26: 250-8. Wisher M. (2002) Biosafety and product release testing issues relevant to replication-competent oncolytic viruses, Review. Cancer Gene Ther. 9: 1056-61).

A membrane pore size rating of 0.1 μm indicates that a membrane has been validated to remove Mycoplasma. (See, Roche, K. L.: Levy, R. V., Methods to Validate Microporous Membranes for the Removal of Mycoplasma, BioPharm 1992, 5, (3), 22-33)

For example, membranes having a pore size rating of 0.1 um can be used to filter media, nutrient and cell culture fluid delivered to cells living and growing inside of a bioreactor. Membranes currently exist that have a specific Log Reduction Value (LRV) for A. Laidawii, a test microorganism for Mycoplasma. While it is customarily accepted that LRV>8 is sufficient to claim “full” retention of Mycoplasma, filters having a lower LRV are often used instead in liquid filtration because of greater permeability and higher throughput.

WO/2009/032040, assigned to Millipore Corporation and titled, SERUM-FREE GROWTH MEDIUM FOR ACHOLEPLASMA LAIDLAWII AND METHODS FOR RETENTION TESTING STERILIZING GRADE FILTERS, fully incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, teaches the full retention of Mycoplasma by a filtration medium can be validated to produce sterile effluent after being challenged with ≧1 10⁹×cfu/mL Acholeplasma laidlawii (A. laidlawii; ATCC 23206).

For example, two membranes having a pore size rating of 0.1 μm, Durapore® VV and Express SHR, each available from Millipore Corporation, Billerica, Mass., USA, have Mycoplasma LRVs of 4 and 6, respectively. While Durapore® MV, also available from Millipore Corporation, claims full Mycoplasma retention (LRV>8), it has a lower permeability and capacity in media filtration compared to Durapore® VV and Express SHR.

Synthetic polymers have been formed into webs of very small diameter fibers, i.e., on the order of a few micrometers or less than 1 μm, using various processes including melt blowing, electrostatic spinning and electroblowing. Such webs have been shown to be useful as liquid barrier materials and filters. Often they are combined with stronger sheets to form composites, wherein the stronger sheets provide the strength to meet the needs of the final filter product.

U.S. Patent Publication Number 2004/0038014 issued to Schaefer et al. teaches a nonwoven filtration mat comprising one or more layers of a thick collection of fine polymeric microfibers and nanofibers formed by electrostatic spinning for filtering contaminants. The electrostatic spinning process utilizes an electro spinning apparatus including a reservoir in which the fine fiber forming polymer solution is contained, a pump and an emitter device which obtains polymer solution from the reservoir. In the electrostatic field, a droplet of the polymer solution is accelerated by the electrostatic field toward a collecting media substrate located on a grid. A high voltage electrostatic potential is maintained between the emitter and grid, with the collection substrate positioned there between, by means of a suitable electrostatic voltage source.

The “electroblowing” process is disclosed in World Patent Publication No. WO 03/080905, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A stream of polymeric solution comprising a polymer and a solvent is fed from a storage tank to a series of spinning nozzles within a spinneret, to which a high voltage is applied and through which the polymeric solution is discharged. Meanwhile, compressed air that is optionally heated is issued from air nozzles disposed in the sides of, or at the periphery of the spinning nozzle. The air is directed generally downward as a blowing gas stream which envelopes and forwards the newly issued polymeric solution and aids in the formation of the fibrous web, which is collected on a grounded porous collection belt above a vacuum chamber. The electroblowing process permits formation of commercial sizes and quantities of nanowebs at basis weights in excess of about 1 gsm, even as high as about 40 gsm or greater, in a relatively short time period.

U.S. Patent Publication Number 2007/0075015 issued to Bates et al. teaches a liquid filtration media including at least one layer of nanofibers having average diameters less than 1,000 nanometers optionally disposed on scrim layer for filtering particulate matter in a liquid. The filtration media have flow rates of at least 0.055 L/min/cm² at relatively high levels of solidity. The media apparently has non-diminishing flow rates as differential pressures increase between 2 psi (14 kPa) and 15 psi (100 kPa).

U.S. Patent Publication Number 2007/0018361 issued to Xu teaches fabricating nanofibers by reactive electrospinning, wherein the electrospinning process is coupled with an in-line reactor where chemical or photochemical reactions take place. The processes taught in Xu use electrospinning to allow for the production of nanofibers from crosslinked polymers and other materials.

U.S. Patent Publication Number 2009/0026137 issued to issued to Chen teaches fabricating liquid filter with a composite medium that has a nanoweb adjacent to and optionally bonded to a microporous membrane. The membrane is characterized by an LRV value of 3.7 at a rated particle size, and the nanoweb has a fractional filtration efficiency of greater than 0.1 at the rated particle size of the membrane. The nanoweb also has a thickness efficiency ratio of greater than 0.0002 at that efficiency. The nanoweb acts to provide depth filtration to the membrane.

It would be desirable to have a reliable electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration medium having a microorganism LRV greater than about 8, suitable for full retention of microorganisms such as bacteria, Mycoplasma in particular, and/or a B. Diminuta LRV greater than about 9, suitable for full retention of B. Diminuta, when removed from a liquid passing through the filtration medium, while simultaneously achieving high permeability and high throughput.

Additionally, the porous electrospun nanofiber filtration medium would be readily scalable, adaptable to processing volumes of sample fluids ranging from milliliters to thousands of liters, and capable of use with a variety of filtration processes and devices. The invention is directed to these, as well as other objectives and embodiments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a method of removing microorganisms from a liquid by passing the liquid through a porous electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration medium. The electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration medium can be used with or without being disposed on a porous support or substrate. The electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration medium can be formed into a variety of shapes, sizes, thicknesses and densities, such as a porous, polymeric nanofiber mat.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed towards a porous electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration medium having a B. Diminuta LRV greater than about 9, and the nanofiber(s) has an average fiber diameter ranging from about 10 nm to about 1000 nm.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed towards a porous electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration medium having a B. Diminuta LRV greater than about 9, and the filtration medium has a porosity ranging from about 80% to about 95%.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed towards a porous electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration medium having a Mycoplasma LRV greater than about 4, and a liquid permeability at 10 psi differential pressure greater than about 3,000 LMH. (Liters Per Square Meter Per Hour).

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed towards a porous electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration medium having a Mycoplasma LRV greater than about 8, and a liquid permeability at 10 psi differential pressure greater than about 3,000 LMH.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed towards a porous electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration medium having a B. Diminuta LRV greater than about 9, and formed as a fibrous porous mat having a thickness ranging from about 1 μm to about 500 μm.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed towards a porous electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration medium having a B. Diminuta LRV greater than about 9, and a liquid permeability at 10 psi differential pressure greater than about 10,000 LMH.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed towards a porous electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration medium having a Mycoplasma LRV greater than about 8, and the nanofiber(s) has an average fiber diameter ranging from about 10 nm to about 1,000 nm.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed towards a porous electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration medium having a Mycoplasma LRV greater than about 8, and a liquid permeability at 10 psi differential pressure greater than about 3,000 LMH.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed towards a porous electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration medium having a Mycoplasma LRV greater than about 8, and the filtration medium has a porosity ranging from about 80% to about 95%.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed towards a porous electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration medium having a Mycoplasma LRV greater than about 8, and formed as a fibrous porous mat having a thickness ranging from about 1 μm to about 500 μm.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed towards a porous electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration medium having a Mycoplasma LRV greater than about 8, and a liquid permeability at 10 psi differential pressure greater than about 10,000 LMH.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a process for forming a porous filtration medium from one or more electrospun polymeric nanofibers from a polymer solution by using an electrospinning apparatus, and subjecting the solution to an electric potential greater than about 10 kV, and collecting electrospun polymer fiber(s) as a non-woven mat.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a composite porous filtration device comprising a filtration medium having a microorganism LRV greater than about 8, and including an electrospun polymeric nanofiber mat disposed on a porous support or porous substrate.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description and claims, which follows. Many modifications and variations of this invention can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description, the claims, as well as the appended drawings are exemplary and explanatory only, and are intended to provide an explanation of various embodiments of the present teachings. The specific embodiments described herein are offered by way of example only and are not meant to be limiting in any way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the presently contemplated embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of the process of electrospinning a nonfiber according to one embodiment of the invention. Polymer solution 10, rotating drum 20, moving collecting belt 30, ground electrode 35, high voltage source 40, polymer fibers produced by electric field 50, fiber mat 60 formed from polymer fibers.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional scanning electron micrograph of nylon fibers from an embodiment of the invention exemplified in Example 1.

FIG. 3 is a frontal scanning electron micrograph of nylon fibers from an embodiment of the invention exemplified in Example 1.

FIG. 4 is a scanning electron micrograph of nylon fibers from another embodiment of the invention as exemplified in Example 2

FIG. 5 is a scanning electron micrograph of a symmetrical commercial membrane Durapore® MVPP from Comparative Example 1.

FIG. 6 is a scanning electron micrograph of a symmetrical commercial membrane Durapore® GVPP from Comparative Example 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein, whether supra or infra, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, percentages or proportions of materials, reaction conditions, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”.

Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass all subranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of “1 to 10” includes any and all subranges between (and including) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10, that is, any and all subranges having a minimum value of equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or less than 10, e.g., 5.5 to 10.

Before describing the present invention in further detail, a number of terms will be defined. Use of these terms does not limit the scope of the invention but only serve to facilitate the description of the invention.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The term “nanofibers” refers to fibers having diameters varying from a few tens of nanometers up to several hundred nanometers, but generally less than one micrometer.

The terms “filter medium” or “filter media” refer to a material, or collection of material, through which a fluid carrying a microorganism contaminant passes, wherein microorganism is deposited in or on the material or collection of material.

The terms “flux” and “flow rate” are used interchangeably to refer to the rate at which a volume of fluid passes through a filtration medium of a given area.

The filtration medium of the present invention includes a porous electrospun nanofiber liquid filtration mat. The nanofibers have an average fiber diameter of about 10 nm to about 1000 nm. The filtration medium has a mean pore size ranging from about 0.1 μm to about 1 μm. The filtration medium has a porosity ranging from about 80% to about 95%. The filtration medium has a thickness ranging from about 1 μm to about 500 μm, preferably from about 50 μm and about 200 μm. The filtration medium has liquid permeability greater than about 300 LMH/psi.

Polymers suitable for use in the nanofibers of the invention include thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers. Suitable polymers include, but are not limited to, nylon, polyimide, aliphatic polyamide, aromatic polyamide, polysulfone, cellulose, cellulose acetate, polyether sulfone, polyurethane, poly(urea urethane), polybenzimidazole, polyetherimide, polyacrylonitrile, poly(ethylene terephthalate), polypropylene, polyaniline, poly(ethylene oxide), poly(ethylene naphthalate), poly(butylene terephthalate), styrene butadiene rubber, polystyrene, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinylidene fluoride), poly(vinyl butylene), copolymers, derivative compounds and blends thereof, and combinations thereof.

The process for making the electrospun nanofiber mat of the filtration medium is disclosed in WO 2005/024101; WO 2006/131081; and WO 2008/106903, all assigned to Elmarco S. R. O., of Liberec, Czech Republic.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the filtration medium comprises a mat made from a single nanofiber, wherein the single nanofiber is made by a single pass of a moving collection apparatus positioned between the spinning drum and the collector through the process. It will be appreciated that the fibrous web can be formed by one or more spinning drums running simultaneously above the same moving collection apparatus.

In one embodiment of the invention, a fibrous mat is made by depositing nanofiber (s) from a nylon solution. The nanofiber mat has a basis weight of between about 5 g/m² and about 15 g/m², as measured on a dry basis, i.e., after the residual solvent has evaporated or been removed.

As depicted in FIG. 1, a moving collection apparatus 30 is preferably a moving collection belt positioned within the electrostatic field between the rotating drum 20 and the ground electrode 35, wherein the porous mat made from a single nanofiber is collected.

In one embodiment of the invention, any of a variety of porous single or multilayered substrates or supports can be arranged on a moving collection belt to collect and combine with the electrospun nanofiber mat medium, forming a composite filtration device.

Examples of single or multilayered porous substrates or supports include, but are not limited to, spunbonded nonwovens, meltblown nonwovens, needle punched nonwovens, spunlaced nonwovens, wet laid nonwovens, resin-bonded nonwovens, woven fabrics, knit fabrics, paper, and combinations thereof.

In another embodiment of the invention, the electrospun nanofiher mat medium taught herein may be bonded to a porous substrate or support. Bonding may be accomplished by known methods in the art, including but not limited to thermal calendaring between heated smooth nip rolls, ultrasonic bonding, and through gas bonding. Bonding increases the strength and the compression resistance of the medium so that the medium may withstand the forces associated with being handled, being formed into a useful filter, and being used in a filter, and depending on the bonding method used, adjusts physical properties such as thickness, density, and the size and shape of the pores.

For instance, thermal calendering can be used to reduce the thickness and increase the density and reduce the porosity of the electrospun nanofiber mat medium, and reduce the size of the pores. This in turn decreases the flow rate through the medium at a given applied differential pressure. In general, ultrasonic bonding will bond to a smaller area of the electrospun nanofiber mat medium than thermal calendering, and therefore has a lesser effect on thickness, density and pore size. Though gas bonding generally has minimal effect on thickness, density and pore size, therefore this bonding method may be preferable in applications in which maintaining higher fluid flow rate is desired.

When thermal calendering is used, care must be taken not to over-bond the electrospun nanofiber material, such that the nanofibers melt and no longer retain their structure as individual fibers. In the extreme, over-bonding would result in the nanofibers melting completely such that a film would be formed. One or both of the nip rolls used is heated to a temperature of between about ambient temperature, e.g., about 25° C. and about 300° C. The nanofiber mat(s) and/or porous support or substrate, can be compressed between the nip rolls at a pressure ranging from about 0 lb/in to about 1000 lb/in (178 kg/cm). The nanofiber mat(s) can be compressed at a line speed of at least about 10 ft/min (3 m/min).

Calendering conditions, e.g., roll temperature, nip pressure and line speed, can be adjusted to achieve the desired solidity. In general, application of higher temperature, pressure, and/or residence time under elevated temperature and/or pressure results in increased solidity.

Other mechanical steps, such as stretching, cooling, heating, sintering, annealing, reeling, unreeling, and the like, may optionally be included in the overall process of forming, shaping and making the electrospun nanofiber mat medium as desired.

For example, the electrospun nanofiber mat medium taught herein may be stretched in a single step or a plurality of steps as desired. Depending on the stretching method used to stretch the electrospun nanofiber mat medium, stretching can adjust the physical properties of the mat including thickness, density, and the size and shape of the pores formed in the mat. For example, if the electrospun nanofiber mat is stretched in a single direction (uniaxial stretching), the stretching may be accomplished by a single stretching step or a sequence of stretching steps until the desired final stretch ratio is attained.

Similarly, if the electrospun nanofiber mat medium is stretched in two directions (biaxial stretching), the stretching can be conducted by a single biaxial stretching step or a sequence of biaxial stretching steps until the desired final stretch ratios are attained. Biaxial stretching may also be accomplished by a sequence of one or more uniaxial stretching steps in one direction and one or more uniaxial stretching steps in another direction. Biaxial stretching steps where the electrospun nanofiber mat is stretched simultaneously in two directions and uniaxial stretching steps may be conducted in sequence in any order.

Methods for stretching the mat are not particularly limited, and use may be made of ordinary tentering, rolling, or inflation or a combination of two or more of these. The stretching may be conducted uniaxially, biaxially, etc. In the case of biaxial stretching, machine-direction stretching and transverse-direction stretching may be conducted either simultaneously or successively.

Various types of stretching apparatus are well known in the art and may be used to accomplish stretching of the electrospun mat according to the present invention. Uniaxial stretching is usually accomplished by stretching between two rollers wherein the second or downstream roller rotates at a greater peripheral speed than the first or upstream roller. Uniaxial stretching can also be accomplished on a standard tentering machine.

Biaxial stretching may be accomplished by simultaneously stretching in two different directions on a tentering machine. More commonly, however, biaxial stretching is accomplished by first uniaxially stretching between two differentially rotating rollers as described above, followed by either uniaxially stretching in a different direction using a tenter machine or by biaxially stretching using a tenter machine. The most common type of biaxial stretching is where the two stretching directions are approximately at right angles to each other. In most cases where a continuous sheet is being stretched, one stretching direction is at least approximately parallel to the long axis of the sheet (machine direction) and the other stretching direction is at least approximately perpendicular to the machine direction and is in the plane of the sheet (transverse direction).

After the electrospun nanofiber mat has been stretched either uniaxially or biaxially, the stretched porous electrospun nanofiber mat can again be calendared. The stretched electrospun nanofiber mat can be forwarded to a pair of heated calendar rolls acting cooperatively so as to form a mat of reduced thickness compared to the mat exiting from the stretching apparatus. By regulating the pressure exerted by these calendar rolls along with the temperature, the pore size of the final electrospun nanofiber mat can be controlled as desired, thereby allowing for the adjustment of the average pore size.

The electrospun nanofiber mat may be heated by any of a wide variety of techniques prior to, during, and/or after stretching. Examples of these techniques include radiative heating such as that provided by electrically heated or gas fired infrared heaters, convective heating such as that provided by recirculating hot air, and conductive heating such as that provided by contact with heated rolls. The temperatures which are measured for temperature control purposes may vary according to the apparatus used and personal preference.

In general, the temperature or temperatures can be controlled such that the electrospun nanofiber mat is stretched about evenly so that the variations, if any, in thickness of the stretched mat are within acceptable limits and so that the amount of stretched microporous electrospun nanofiber mat outside of those limits is acceptably low. It will be apparent that the temperatures used for control purposes may or may not be close to those of the electrospun nanofiber mat itself since they depend upon the nature of the apparatus used, the locations of the temperature-measuring devices, and the identities of the substances or objects whose temperatures are being measured.

The porosity can be modified as a result of calendering. The range of porosity from about 5% to about 90% can be obtained.

While filtration medium is often used in single-layer configuration, it is sometimes advantageous to provide more than one layer of filtration medium adjacent to each other. Layering membrane filters to improve particle retention is commonly used in virus filtration and is practiced commercially in Millipore's product lines of Viresolve® NFP and Viresolve Pro®. Layering filtration media of the same or different composition is also used to improve filter throughput. Examples of such layered filters are Millipore's Express® SHC and SHRP product lines. Other considerations for choosing a multi-layered filtration product include economics and convenience of media and device manufacturing, ease of sterilization and validation. The fibrous filtration media of the present invention can be used in single-layer or in a multi-layer configuration.

Test Methods

Basis Weight was determined by ASTM D-3776, which is hereby incorporated by reference and reported in g/m².

Porosity was calculated by dividing the basis weight of the sample in g/m² by the polymer density in g/cm³, by the sample thickness in micrometers, multiplying by 100, and subtracting the resulting number from 100, i.e., porosity=100−[basis weight/(density.times.thickness).times.100].

Fiber Diameter was determined as follows. Ten scanning electron microscope (SEM) images at 40,000 times magnification was taken of each nanofiber layer sample. The diameter of ten (10) clearly distinguishable nanofibers were measured from each SEM image and recorded. Defects were not included (i.e., lumps of nanofibers, polymer drops, intersections of nanofibers), The average fiber diameter for each sample was calculated.

Thickness was determined by ASTM D1777-64, which is hereby incorporated by reference, and is reported in micrometers.

Mean flow bubble point was measured according to ASTM Designation E 1294-89, “Standard Test Method for Pore Size Characteristics of Membrane Filters Using Automated Liquid Porosimeter” by using automated bubble point method from ASTM Designation F 316 using a custom-built capillary flow porosimeter, in principle similar to a commercial apparatus from Porous Materials, Inc. (PMI), Ithaca, N.Y. Individual samples of 47 mm in diameter (9.6 cm² measurable area) were wetted with isopropyl alcohol. Each sample was placed in a holder, and a differential pressure of air was applied and the fluid removed from the sample. The differential pressure at which wet flow is equal to one-half the dry flow (flow without wetting solvent) is used to calculate the mean flow pore size using supplied software.

Flow Rate (also referred to as Flux) is the rate at which fluid passes through the sample of a given area and was measured by passing deionized water through filter medium samples having a diameter of 35 mm. The water was forced through the samples using hydraulic pressure (water head pressure) or pneumatic pressure (air pressure over water).

The effective pore size of an electrospun mat can be measured using conventional membrane techniques such as bubble point, liquid-liquid porometry, and challenge test with particles of certain size. It is known that the effective pore size of a fibrous mat generally increases with the fiber diameter and decreases with porosity.

Bubble point test provides a convenient way to measure effective pore size. It is calculated from the following equation:

${P = {\frac{2\gamma}{r}\cos\;\theta}},$ where P is the bubble point pressure, γ is the surface tension of the probe fluid, r is the pore radius, and θ is the liquid-solid contact angle.

Membrane manufacturers assign nominal pore size ratings to commercial membrane filters, which are based on their retention characteristics.

While it is known that the pore size distribution of a random non-woven mat becomes narrower as thickness of the mat increases (See, Meltzer, T. H., In Filtration in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Marcel Dekker: New York, 1987; p 103), it has not been previously shown whether the pore size distribution of a non-woven mat can be sufficiently narrow to accomplish “full bacteria retention” (as discussed supra) at competitive permeability of at least 100 LMH/psi for Mycoplasma-retentive filters and 500 LMH/psi for B. Diminuta-retentive filters.

Mycoplasma retention was measured by challenging the membranes with 8.77*10⁷ colony forming units per square cm of membrane (CFU/cm²). The devices are challenged with 50 mL of diluted A. laidlawii and then flushed with 50 mL of Mycoplasma Buffer for a total of 100 mL. The full 100 mL was then filtered through a 0.22 μm sterilization membrane. Then, the procedure described in a published patent application WO 2009/032040 was followed.

B. Diminuta retention was measured in accordance with ASTM F838-83.

The following Examples of the present invention will demonstrate that an electrospun nanofiber mat can possess both high permeability and high bacteria retention at the same time.

Hereinafter the present invention will be described in more detail in the following examples. The invention will be further clarified by the following examples which are intended to be exemplary of the invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1

An electrospinning process and apparatus for forming a nanofiber web as disclosed in WO 2006/131081 was used to produce the nanofiber layers and mats of the Examples below.

Nanofiber layers were made by electrospinning a solution of Nylon 6 polymer. Nylon 6 was supplied by BASF Corp., Florham Park, N.J., USA, under the trademark Ultramid B24. A solvent mixture of acetic and formic acid, weight ratio 2:1, was used to prepare solutions of Nylon, with concentrations ranging from 8 to 16%.

A 10 wt.% solution of Nylon was electrospun at 82 kV and distance between solution and ground electrode 155 mm, for 45 minutes. By way of example only, samples were tested for A. Laidiawii retention using standard Millipore procedures described above. A representative sample is compared to the closest Durapore® membrane, MVPP, in Table I below.

The results are shown in Table I below.

TABLE I Mean flow bubble Nominal point pore size Thickness Permeability for IPA rating Porosity A. Laidlawii (micron) (LMH/psi) (psi) (micron) (%) LRV Example 1: 140 400 65 N/A 88 >8.6 Electrospun Nylon 140 Comparative 125 80 55 0.1 70 >8.6 Example 1: Millipore Durapore ® MVPP

Example 2

A series of Nylon 6 electrospun fibrous mats were prepared as described in Example 1. A 13 wt. % solution of Nylon was electrospun at 82 kV and distance between solution and ground electrode 155 mm, for 10 and 45 minutes. Fiber mats of 55 and 225 microns thick were produced for the two spin times, respectively. These samples were tested, by way of example only, for B. Diminuta retention. It should be noted that the Mycoplasma-retentive electrospun fibrous mats as taught herein are used for the full retention of B. Diminuta.

Example 3

Another series of Nylon 6 electrospun fibrous mats were prepared as described in Example 2. A 16 wt. % solution of Nylon was electrospun at 82 kV and distance between solution and ground electrode 155 mm, for 15 minutes. These samples were tested, by way of example only, for B. Diminuta retention.

The results are shown in Table II below.

TABLE II Mean flow Nominal bubble pore size Thickness Permeability point for rating Porosity B. Diminuta (micron) (LMH/psi) IPA (psi) (micron) (%) LRV Example 2: 225 1,814 33 N/A 90 >9 Nylon 225 Example 2: 55 4,960 26 N/A 90 >9 Nylon 55 Example 3: 106 3,354 13.7 N/A 90 5.5 Nylon 55 Comparative 125 500 30 0.22 75 >9 Example 2: Millipore Durapore ® GVPP

A higher porosity of electrospun nanofiber mats results in greater permeability, while still providing a reliable means for retention of microorganisms.

Method of Use

Electrospun nanofiber containing liquid filtration media, in accordance with the present invention are useful in the food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, microelectronics, chemical processing, water treatment, and other liquid treatment industries.

Electrospun nanofiber containing liquid filtration media, in accordance with the present invention may be used for filtering, separating, identifying, and/or detecting microorganisms from a liquid sample or stream.

Electrospun nanofiber containing liquid filtration media, in accordance with the present invention may be used with any liquid sample preparation methods including, but not limited to, chromatography; high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC); electrophoresis; gel filtration; sample centrifugation; on-line sample preparation; diagnostic kits testing; diagnostic testing; high throughput screening; affinity binding assays; purification of a liquid sample; size-based separation of the components of the fluid sample; physical properties based separation of the components of the fluid sample; chemical properties based separation of the components of the fluid sample; biological properties based separation of the components of the fluid sample; electrostatic properties based separation of the components of the fluid sample; and, combinations thereof. Also, electrospun nanofiber containing liquid filtration media, in accordance with the present invention can be component or part of a larger device and/or system.

Kits

The invention also provides kits which may be used to remove microorganisms from a liquid sample. The kit may comprise, for example, one or more electrospun nanofiber containing liquid filtration medium in accordance with the present invention, as well as one or more liquid filtration devices, support or substrate for the medium. The kit may contain one or more controls, and may optionally include various buffers useful in the methods of practicing the invention. Wash buffers for eliminating reagents or eliminating non-specifically retained or bound material may optionally be included in the kit.

Other optional kit reagents include an elution buffer. Each of the buffers may be provided in a separate container as a solution. Alternatively the buffers may be provided in dry form or as a powder and may be made up as a solution according to the user's desired application. In this case the buffers may be provided in packets. The kit may provide a power source in instances where the device is automated as well as a means of providing an external force such as a vacuum pump. The kit may also include instructions for using the electrospun nanofiber containing liquid filtration medium, device, support or substrate, and/or for making up reagents suitable for use with the invention, and methods of practicing invention. Optional software for recording and analyzing data obtained while practicing the methods of the invention or while using the device of the invention may also be included.

The term “kit” includes, for example, each of the components combined in a single package, the components individually packaged and sold together, or the components presented together in a catalog (e.g., on the same page or double-page spread in the catalog).

The disclosure set forth above may encompass multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. Although each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form(s), the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein. The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations regarded as novel and nonobvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed in applications claiming priority from this or a related application. Such claims, whether directed to a different invention or to the same invention, and whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of removing-bacteria from a liquid sample comprising the steps of: a) providing a liquid sample containing bacteria, b) providing a porous nanofiber containing filtration medium made by electrospinning a polymer, and wherein the filtration medium exhibits full retention of Brevundimonas diminuta as measured in accordance with ASTM F838-83, a porosity from about 80% to about 95%, and a liquid permeability greater than about 1000 LMH/psi, wherein the nanofiber has a fiber diameter from about 10 nm to about 1,000 nm, and c) passing the liquid sample containing bacteria through the filtration medium resulting in the full retention of bacteria by size-based separation.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the filtration medium has a thickness ranging from about 1μm to about 500 μm.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyimide, aliphatic polyamide, aromatic polyamide, polysulfone, cellulose acetate, polyether sulfone, polyurethane, poly(urea urethane), polybenzimidazole, polyetherimide, polyacrylonitrile, poly(ethylene terephthalate), polypropylene, polyaniline, poly(ethylene oxide), poly(ethylene naphthalate), poly(butylene terephthalate), styrene butadiene rubber, polystyrene, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinylidene fluoride), poly(vinyl butylene) and copolymers, derivative compounds, or blends thereof.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer comprises an aliphatic polyamide.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer comprises a blend of polymers or copolymers.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanofiber is disposed on a porous support.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the porous support comprises one or more layers selected from the group consisting of spunbonded nonwovens, meltblown nonwovens, needle punched nonwovens, spunlaced nonwovens, wet laid nonwovens, resin-bonded nonwovens, woven fabrics, knit fabrics, paper, and combinations thereof.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the porosity is about 90%. 